James making some noise

Shea Dixon

01/18/2009

With LSU in need of linebackers, the 2010 recruiting class looks to help fill the void. One prospect hearing from the Tigers early is Mobile-native Barry James, and the Williamson High standout has the Bayou Bengals on his short list.

Scanning the Southeast linebacker landscape for the 2010 season will yield little athletes with the frame of James, who checks in at 6-foot-1, 250-pounds as just a junior.

Couple his size with his performance on Friday nights, and it is no wonder that the attention from college coaches has been coming early.

"I got offers from Clemson and Auburn right now, and those came first as verbal offers back in my sophomore season," James said. "Those teams have been on me for a while.

"I also have been getting lots of letters in the mail, letting me know about junior days and just checking up on me," added James. "LSU, Michigan, Notre Dame, Florida State, Oregon and Alabama are all showing me love. I am going to get to some places here for junior day and then this summer and see what we can get going. I know I will be at the Florida State Junior Day, because they already got me signed up."

Though the interest from coaches is coming from all directions, the Mobile-native said that he already has a good idea of who is top three will be going forward.

"I am really feeling Auburn, Clemson and LSU," James said. "I want to get down to Baton Rouge so that I can learn more about the program.

"I like the fact that the defense is well known, and they have been winning National Championships," added James. "They are one of the top teams in the SEC, and I have heard that things over on campus are top notch. I watch LSU on television a lot, so I know about what they can do. I got to just check it out now."

Though interest has come from the in-state Crimson Tide, James said that he will be looking elsewhere when making his decision.

"I like Alabama, and I know a bunch of folks up there, but it is not for me next year," he said. "I really am not too much of an Alabama fan. Also, they have a lot of depth at linebacker, so it would not even be a good fit.

"Right now it is really Auburn, Clemson and LSU," added James. "Out at Clemson I would probably play some linebacker and get down as a defensive end, and at LSU or Auburn I could get in and play some linebacker and help keep the running game in check."